Calls grow for accountability as debate over Ofori-Atta's US residency intensifies

Civil society leaders, legal experts and journalists have renewed calls for accountability in the case involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, following a United States immigration court ruling granting him lawful permanent residency.

Speaking on Channel One TV's The Big Issue programme on Saturday, the convenor of the One Ghana Movement, Senyo Hosi, urged the United States diplomatic mission in Ghana to be mindful of the broader implications of the case for public confidence in justice and anti-corruption efforts.

Mr Hosi said corruption remained a major obstacle to Ghana's development and argued that international partners should be seen as supporting, rather than undermining, efforts to strengthen accountability.

"You should be seen facilitating accountability in our country. Corruption has been at the heart of the failure and retrogression of our society," he said.

He warned that perceptions that influential individuals could avoid legal scrutiny risked sending the wrong signal about the rule of law and public accountability.

The comments follow reports that a US immigration court approved Mr Ofori-Atta's I-485 petition, allowing him to pursue lawful permanent residency in the United States.

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni also questioned public celebrations surrounding the court's decision, arguing that the ruling should not be viewed as a vindication of the former minister.

"I don't think there is anything honourable about a man who has lived here, built companies, built a reputation, getting himself into this SML scandal and running away from justice," he said.

Mr Azure said the development should not distract from ongoing investigations and allegations facing the former minister in Ghana.

The ruling came after the court considered issues relating to criminal investigations in Ghana, including actions taken by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which had previously declared Mr Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice.

His lawyers have argued that the declaration was made while he was undergoing medical treatment in the United States and while his legal team remained in communication with investigators in Ghana.

Meanwhile, the Head of Legal Affairs for the United Party, Andrew Appiah Danquah, said Mr Ofori-Atta's immigration status should not automatically shield him from legal accountability in Ghana.

Mr Danquah argued that under Ghana's extradition laws, the determining factor is whether a person is facing valid charges or has been convicted of an offence, rather than whether they hold permanent residency or citizenship in another country.

"If Ken Ofori-Atta becomes a US citizen, my opinion is that once there is a charge against him in Ghana or a conviction, it should not matter whether you have a green card or you are a citizen," he said.

He noted, however, that while residency status may not eliminate the legal basis for extradition, it could complicate efforts to secure a person's return depending on the circumstances of the case and the laws of the receiving country.

Mr Ofori-Atta is facing multiple allegations linked to suspected financial irregularities during his time as finance minister, including claims surrounding a contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has maintained investigations into the matter and has previously sought international cooperation after the former minister failed to honour invitations for questioning. An INTERPOL Red Notice request initiated in 2025 was later removed by the international policing organisation.

While the US immigration court's decision does not affect any criminal proceedings in Ghana, the ruling has intensified public debate over accountability, extradition and the challenges of pursuing cross-border legal cases involving former public officials.